EXCLUSIVE Kepa wants support for Winston victims

FIJI’S OPPOSITION Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa, is out of the 2018 Election race.

That leaves the field clear for MajorGeneral Sitiveni Rabuka to lead SODELPA (the Social Democratic Liberal Party) to the polls as the main rival to the incumbent Prime Minister, RearAdmiral Frank Bainiaramama. Barring an upset, Fiji will have as prime minister between 2018 and 2022 an indigenous male who has, some time in his past, overthrown a democratically-elected government.

“I’ve made it quite clear that I will not stand,” Kepa said. “Under the Constitution, the Leader of the Opposition remains in office until a Prime Minister is sworn in. The Constitution also says I cannot cross the floor or change parties.” So Kepa will not join Hope where her allies – former Opposition Leader Mick Beddoes and political activist Pita Waqavonovono – have already set up shop.

For the time being she will continue to support efforts to attack the Bainimarama-led Fiji First Party in an attempt to whittle away at its popularity. Opinion polls show Bainimarama – who took power in a December 2006...